New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-27
CORNER LOTS.
A TALE OF A BOOM


ncture with her cirsh figure relieved against the whe
,dobe house behind her and her shapey head poiseo
On one side she critically eAamlhed' WIN hei os
lark eyes, each spray Of lavender she may even nave
been unaware that the young man walking on the oher
aide of tbe road was evidently of this opinion. although
when he made misstep into chuck hole fui OF dust
,brouch having his eyes on her, Tulitas rosy lips
puckcred themselves up and suspicious little move
nent of her shoulders suggested that she was not Ell
tirey ignorant of the young mans mishap
But MS Las been said, her mind was engaged with
weghtier matters, and scarcely youchsafng second
glance at the retreang figure OF the young man. sue
entered the white adobe house. Placing her fragrant
load unon table she took up an old copy OF " The
Fashion Guide" which she mad left face downward wheh
she went to gather lavender ana consulted II Win
studous frown. Them going TO chest or drawers she
procured some odds and ends of ribbons. and seating
herself with busincsslike air. proceeded. with many
references TO the instructions, to braid the sprigs Oh
lavender together with the ribbons
"These useful rs well ornamental little articles
the book said the end of its dlsquiSon are rapidly
becoming indispensable in household In fact we
know OF several young ladies who derive comiortape
income from the manufacture and sale oil lavender
sticks"
"Idont know" said Tulita to herself she regarded
her first effort disparagingv il 10 me that any
lody would be fool to buy that But there she con
timed more hopefully you never can tell about these
Americans"
And proceeding with her work. she soon exhausted her
lavender and ribbons, ana had Instead neat niue p'o
OF lavender sticks"
"Madre de Dos! said Tuta with her chin on her
hand she gazed at result OF her labOrs. If that little
mother of mine TO catch me AT this, how quickly
those things would ont of the window, ana she
laughed softly at the thought Although she contin
ued if she can do sewing for money. why should not
also work At any rate mast have some shoes That Is
the truth" And thrustng her foot ont she leaned over
the table TO look at it, 1t a dainty. slender foot.
with an arcled nsep. but the shoe upon IL was unnls
takably hopelessly ragged. "Ah! go hide yourself"
said Tulita. severely; you make me ashamed.
Then sinking her chair she rested her chin on
her hand once more, and hOught All, II only could
make enough to buy pair of shoes And after awhile
tear rolled down her check and fell the Lavender
sticks.
But at this moment the click of the latch on tla
garden gate made Tulita spring to her feet With
quick movement she swept the lavender sticks into
drawer. and when the newcomer entered the room
Tua was before the mirror singing to herself while she
braided her long hair, which had fallen rs suuuehi! as
Southern night
Is il thou. madrc 7" she asked.
Eyes is l. all that is left OF me- said the lady who
had entered, a whose stu handsome face was
lined by grief and trouble "san'ed Mother but II Is
warm in the sun she continued, tanning herself with
that ndoent graceful sweep of the wrist peculiar to the
women of the South. Then, pausing a moment, she
elevated her head and said: Mat is that odor III the
house like sagebrushi"
Perhaps is this bit of lavender said Tulita hiding
her guilty face behind her hair
"Paugh!" said her mother :" Ii is too strong Throw
ii away"
And rs she obevcd Tulitas heart went into her
ragged at this unexpected dsparagement of the
odor of lavender sagebrush indeed 1t disheartcncd
her so that the idea OF attempting to derive comfort
able income from the manufacture AMI sale OF lavender
sticks at dismissed in scorn LVen the pos
siblity of new shoes grew very faint
But with the next mornings sun the hope and high
spirits OF youth returned, and when Tuta started 10
walk in to san Diego make purchases for her
mother the lavender sticks were hidden beneath her
shabby little black mantle. Last night. after She had
gone bed she had lain awake for az least an hour de-
Gliding where 10 offer them for sale SIENNA squillss
drugstore the favored place. II was on the pln
cipa street and had fine large windows fun OF fancy
goods II would be very simple matter TO walk in and
ask them to sell the sticks for her OF course she would
pav them something for their trouble Then, too, she
had heard that very morning that there we're an unusual
number Eastern tourists in town. and she hurried her
steps not to lose any chances
But when Tuita came sight OF SIENNA & squillss
establishment her enthusiasm ebbed she chded herself
for walking rapidly and getting heated and out OF
breath What would the people I'm the store think OF
her Slower and slower grew her pace. until arriving
in front Of her destination she stopped and looked at tho
display Of fancy goods in the window The comparison
was not favorable to her lavender sticks.
Perhaps after ALL" thought Tulta the idea Of any
body wanting to buy such things Is absurd suppose
SIENNA & squils should laugh a; her. Hhe concluded to
think about it "A little more, and walked OH.
The further Tults went, howev CT, the more her
courage returned until telling herself she was behaving
rdicuously rcsoutcy retraccd her steps until the
store was once more reached. But again she paused
trresolutey before the window Then she crossed the
street look in the window OF book store that might
perhaps be better adapted 10 her purpose Deciding
against the book she returned TO nc drug store
Then the dreadful thought occurred TO her that her
movements must be attracting attention. The police.
,an on the had certainly looked at her very
hard What II he should speak TO her. The idea so
appalling that Tulita hurriedly walked on down the
street without looking to the right or left 1t was not
until had turned the first corner she came TO that she
recovered her equaninity. Then scolding herself
severely for this panic she continued slowly around
the block until she found herself in front OF
SIENNA & Squs's establishment Bracing up her
treacherous courage with great effort she walked in.
One OF the clerks observing the hesitation Of young
and pretty customer advanced toward her, and IN his
suavost manner said: What can | do for you today,
miss 4"
as ais Mr SIENNA In !" ialtered Tulita
Mr. SIENNA. miss! exclaimed the young man. with a
look OF surprise, - Mr. SIENNA is dead"
"Oh," murmured Tuiita, cOnfusedly Il ain very
sorry"
And with burning checks, she found herself In the
street How far or where She walked after
that Tulita quite sure. When her thoughts
sufficiently collected she discovered that she was
in front OF OF the principal hotels She saw news
stand the main entrance. On the impulse OF the
moment she stopped and opening her bundle of lavender
sticks she them 10 the proprietor and asked him
n lie would try 10 sell then for her lie elderly
and while not enthusiastic the prospects Of
brisk business in lavender sticks he very kind to the
girl and readily agreed to do all in his power to advance
her little venture.
Rid of her bundle OF lavender which she had begun to
hate Tulita turned her steps homeward In high spirits
easy IL had been to the matter and what
little fool she 10 have worried herself 80 After ALL
though, il much better that she had not left the
sticks with SIENNA squills. This stand by far
the hest place, being right in the hotel where the